Technical Specifications

The Controller

The
Microlab 600 Controller integrates a streamlined user interface with a
large touch screen display. Dilutions, dispenses, titrations and more
are visually displayed in real-time with just the touch of a button.

A
Hardware Key unlocks the Advanced functionality inluding Wizards and
Custom Methods. The Hardware Key also provides an upgrade path for the
syringe pump and controller to the most current firmware.

Specifications

Microlab 600 Controller

Screen Size

5.7 inch (15cm diagonal)

Screen Resolution

640 (H) x 480 (V) pixels

Tilt Positions

5 positions from 90° to flat

Mounting Options

On top of the Syringe Pump, Bench Top, or Wall Mount

Program Memory

2 GB (With Advanced Upgrade)

Communication Type

Ethernet, 10/100 BASE-T

Power Rating

24VDC, 2.5A

Dimensions

2.25 x 6.5 x 7 inch
(57.2 x 165.1 x 177.8mm)
in down position

Weight

1.9 lbs (0.86 kg)

The Syringe Pump

The Microlab 600 is available as a single or dual syringe system. The high torque, precision stepper motors provide unsurpassed positional accuracy across the full range of Hamilton syringes from 10 µL to 50 mL.

Chemical Compatibility

Chemical Compatibility

The Microlab 600's fluid path consists of PTFE-based materials (PTFE and CTFE) and borosilicate glass. These materials are resistant to a wide variety of acids and bases at room-to-moderate temperatures. Most chemicals do not affect PTFE at normal operating temperatures

Important: Do not use the Microlab 600 for prolonged periods at high temperatures with aromatic or highly halogenated compounds. These compounds may cause the Microlab 's fittings to swell, adversely affecting performance and reducing the life of system components. Below is a chemical compatibility chart.

If you have any questions about chemical resistance to specific compounds, please contact Hamilton Company; check out any unusual or reactive compounds before using them with your Microlab 600 system.

The following table contains information about chemical reactivity with the Microlab 600 system at room temperature.

How often you clean the Microlab 600 depends upon how you use the instrument and
what you use in it.

We recommend that, if you use the instrument daily, the tubing and syringes should
be purged and primed at the end of each experiment and each work shift. Clean the
system by flushing it with Hamilton Syringe Cleaner, ethanol or a with a 10%
chlorine bleach and deionized water solution.

Avoid using caustic or acidic cleaning solutions.

*Important: Leave the syringes and tubing filled with deionized water overnight. This is important if you are using buffers or other salt solutions which could accumulate or crystallize in the system. If buffers or other salt solutions are left in the fluid path overnight, crystals
may form and damage the syringe plunger tip.

*See "Cleaning the Fluid Path of Microlab 600" for complete details on cleaning the fluid path. If you still have questions, contact Hamilton Company Technical Support Department.

Clean the Microlab 600's fluid path before using it for the first time. Use Hamilton Syringe Cleaning Solution to clean the fluid path. Click here for information on ordering Hamilton Syringe Cleaner.

To clean the fluid path, follow these steps:

Prepare a reservoir of cleaning fluid and place the fill tubing in the cleaning fluid reservoir. Use a tubing clip to secure the tubing to the side of the reservoir.

Place the hand probe into the cleaning fluid reservoir.

Press the Prime button to begin the prime cycle.

Continue the priming cycle until the fluid path is clean. The number of cycles needed to clean the fluid path will depend on the sizes of the syringe(s) and the level of contamination in the system. A good estimate is 5-10 cycles of the syringe or 5-10 times the internal volume of the fill and dispense tubing.

When the fluid path is clean, press the Prime button to stop the priming cycle.

Move the fill tubing from the cleaning fluid reservoir and replace it into a reservoir of deionized water.

Press the Prime button to continue the priming cycle.

Continue the priming cycle until the fluid path is free of all cleaning fluid. Dispense the rinse fluid into a waste reservoir.

The system is now clean and ready for use.

Note: If you have questions on cleaning the fluid path contact Hamilton Company Technical Support.

Warning! Follow your laboratory's safety procedures if you use
the Microlab 600 system to handle hazardous
materials.

When tubing and syringes come in contact with contaminated or hazardous samples,
follow safe laboratory practices in selecting and using a cleaning fluid to flush out
the tubing and syringes. Purge, clean and decontaminate the Microlab 600 by
thoroughly flushing out all portions of the tubing and syringes.

Use a cleaner that is compatible with the fluids previously run through the system.
Depending on the sample that is being run, you may want to use de-ionized water,
urea, ethanol or a 10% chlorine bleach and deionized water solution as a cleaning
fluid.

If you still have questions, contact Hamilton Company's Technical/Customer
Service Department.

Warning! Follow your laboratory's safety procedures if you use
the Microlab 600 system to handle hazardous
materials.

The Microlab 600 housing is moderately inert to chemical exposure. However,
some chemicals may discolor the surface of the unit.
If a spill occurs on the instrument's exterior, wipe the surface immediately. Wash
the surface using a damp cloth with water and soap. Then
dry the area. Take care that liquids do not enter the interior of the Microlab
600.

To disinfect the exterior surface, wipe it down with a 10% chlorine bleach and
deionized water solution. Then dry the area.

Note: The cleaning instructions presented here are meant as
a guide only. If your particular applications require different
cleaning solutions, contact Hamilton Company for more
information.

For long-term storage, prime and purge the system with methanol to facilitate
drying. Remove the tubes and syringes. Cover the instrument to protect it from
damage. Store syringes in their original containers.

What can I do if I am getting corrosion and crystallization in my syringe(s) and valve(s) from my saline/salt based solutions?
Salts, including saline are as rough or rougher on the Microlab 600's than concentrated acids. Make sure to flush the system thoroughly when you are finished using the instrument. Remove the syringes, valve, and tubing so the components can air dry.

How tight should fittings on the valve be?
The fittings should only be finger tight or 13 ounce inches. Over tightening the fitting will cause the valve to rotate, rub the fitting and ultimately cause the valve to fail. This is a leading cause of premature valve failures.

When will the valve need to be replaced?
The Microlab valves may last for several years depending on use. Eventually they need to be replaced from normal wear and tear. Below are common signs the valve needs to be replaced:

The instrument is drawing fluid from the incorrect side of the valve.

The instrument becomes less accurate and or precise (changes in the coefficient of variation).

My Microlab 600 is making strange noises, what should I do?
When a Microlab 600 starts to make noise, it needs to be serviced. A squealing sound indicates a lack of lubrication on the lead screw. A grinding sound indicates a bearing has failed. Please call the Hamilton Service Department to discuss your service options

How often should I calibrate my Microlab 600?
Every user has different applications and requirements for calibration, but a general rule, calibrate the instrument on the same interval used for analytical balances. (Generally once or twice per year)

Instrument Calibration

Instrument Calibration

Summary
This general procedure is based on determining the weighing result of water samples delivered by the syringe. True volume is calculated based on the density of water at specific temperatures.

Limitations The method is not recommended for volumes below 2 µL. There is no upper volume limit.

Equipment, Materials, Environment

Laboratory balances required for the test method should meet or exceed the following performance specifications, be calibrated regularly with the appropriate traceable weights and be regularly maintained.

Test Volume, µL

Balance sensitivity, mg

1-10 µL

0.001 mg

10-100 µL

0.01 mg

100-1000 µL

0.1 mg

Use a balance table, or suitable equivalent to minimize vibration. Cover the working surface directly in front of the balance with a dark, smooth, non-glare material. Keep the balance area reasonably free of draft currents and the ambient area free of excessive dust.

Use a calibrated thermometer to measure the temperature of the water.

Use a weighing vessel that has a total volume of about 10 times the test volume, or 500 µL, whichever is larger. This is for evaporation control. If possible, also use a cover that fits over the outside of the vessel top (do NOT allow the cover to come into contact with the test liquid). The vessel should be plastic, glass, metal or some other non-porous material. The cross-sectional area of the opening should be as small as possible to further control evaporation.

Handle the vessel with forceps or tweezers.

Use distilled water.

Procedure

Introduction: Deliver a total of n samples into a weighing vessel, and weigh each sample after delivery. Replicate all motions and time intervals in each sampling cycle as precisely as possible. Keep the distance between the balance and the diluter/dispenser to a minimum.

Preparation: Select the analytical equipment and materials. Select the syringe to be evaluated, including/removable and disposable parts. Make sure the syringe is clean. Ensure the room, equipment and materials, including the prepared water, are thermally equilibrated. Ensure the electronic balances have had sufficient warm-up time to stabilize.

Place a small amount of water in the weighing vessel (between 2 and 30 sample amounts or a minimum of 500 µL).

Fill a water reservoir. Aspirate water into the syringe. Remove any bubbles by slowly aspirating and quickly dispensing water several times. (When testing the sample side of a diluter, use the probe to aspirate and dispense the water.

Open door of balance chamber, place the weighing vessel on the balance pan and close the door of the balance chamber.

Tare the balance. Aspirate one sample. Retrieve the weighing vessel from the balance chamber, deliver complete sample and return the vessel to the balance pan, closing the door to the chamber. Observe and record balance readout.

Repeat the previous step until 10 samples have been weighed. Note: Perform the weighing cycles as quickly as possible, but without compromising the integrity of the liquid delivery or the precision of the technique of the operator.

Measure and record the water temperature.

Calculations

Calculate the volume of each dispense (Vi) by dividing each mass value by the density of water at the measured temperature. Refer to the table below for density values.

Density of Water at Various TemperaturesTaken from CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 50th edition, 1969, page F-4

Reprint Calibration Cert

All Microlab 600s are shipped with a hard copy of the calibration certificate. If that copy is lost it is possible to reprint the certificate using the serial number that is printed on the back of the pump module. Please obtain the serial number and click here to search for the certificate.

Software Downloads

Hamilton frequently publishes software updates that include new features and bug fixes. The fixes are distributed for free at the links below. The first step is to determine if you have the New or the Original Microlab 600 controller based on the descriptions below. Then download the .ZIP update file to an SD Card and start the update as described in the manual.

New Microlab 600 Controller (Manufactured after July 2013)

The easiest way to identify the new controller is by checking the part number on the bottom of the controller. If the part number says 61500-05 then it is the new controller. Other identifying features of the new controller include: the label below the screen will say Microlab Controller, the SD card slot will be located on the left side of the controller when looking at the screen, and there is a large and small USB port as well as a serial port between the Ethernet and power connections.

Original Microlab 600 Controller

The original controller will have part number 61500-01 on the bottom. Other identifying features of the original controller include: the label below the screen will say Microlab 600 Series, the SD card slot will be located in the back between the power and Ethernet port.

Microlab 600 Wizards

Built-in Wizards

Dilution Wizard
Achieve analytical dilutions by inputting only 2 parameters like sample volume and diluent volume or dilution factor and final volume. Additional parameters like air gaps and wash volumes are easily input.

Aliquot Dispense Wizard
Enter the desired dispense volume and go. The instrument determines when the syringe needs to refill. Dispense volume can be changed on the fly.

Serial Dispense Wizard
Program a series of dispense volumes and the Microlab 600 will execute the dispenses and determine when to refill. Press the hold button to dispense the same volume multiple times before proceeding to the next volume on the list.

Dry Weight Dilution Wizard
Accurately prepare analytical standards by selecting pre-programmed solvents (liquid) and standards (powder or liquid) to achieve the desired concentration and total volume for the application.

Titration Wizard
Dispense an initial volume to get you close and then a step volume to slowly titrate to the end point. The instrument keeps track of the total volume used during the titration.

Pipette Wizard
Use for simple sample transfers from one container to another.

Additional Wizard Plug-ins

Dilution Wizard for the DTHP
Viscous liquids like blood may need compensation or reverse pipetting to achieve accurate dispenses with the Disposable Tip Hand Probe (DTHP). This plug-in enables options to tweak the pipetting to achieve exception accuracy with these difficult liquids.

Multi-Sample Dilution Wizard
This wizard was developed for applications that require the mixing of 3 or more solutions in the same reaction. Solutions are aspirated into the Concorde Hand Probe.

Multi-Sample Dilution Wizard For the DTHP
This wizard was developed for applications that require the mixing of 3 or more solutions in the same reaction. Solutions are aspirated into the Disposable Tip Hand Probe (DTHP).

The additional plug-ins are only compatible with the new controller when running software revision 5003 or later.